Spanning 4,741 square miles and situated in the south-central region of the province of Ontario, Canada, lies Algonquin Provincial Park. Established in 1893 as a national park for preserving wildlife, Algonquin became Ontario’s first provincial park in 1913. Named after the natives who inhabited the area, the Algonquin peoples, the park boasts over 800,000 visitors per year who come to enjoy the trails, lakes, and rivers. In 1999, with the opening of South Algonquin Trails horse facility, horseback riding was added to the already long list of activities available in the park such as biking, canoeing, kayaking, camping, and wildlife spotting.
Writer Shawn’s first fall ride in the park was with her friends Anne and Adam, who trailered their horses to South Algonquin Trails. Photo by Shawn Hamilton
Algonquin Autumn Trails
My favorite time to visit the park is in the fall, and I can’t think of a better way to enjoy nature’s autumn display of colors than from the saddle.
There’s no better way to enjoy nature’s autumn display of colors than from the saddle. Photo by Shawn Hamilton
My first fall ride in the park was with my friends Anne and Adam, who trailered their horses to South Algonquin Trails and asked me to join them. Without a rideable horse at the time, a quick call secured me a lovely Appaloosa mare named Avery and a friendly and informative guide named Jocelyn.
It was one of those October days when everything just swings your way. The colors were peaking, it was not too hot, and the gentle breeze was just enough to keep the horses cool and the bugs away.
We lunched at the Gut, where the river narrows and creates rapids to a waterfall that cascades into a small lake. Our horses carried us through the well-maintained trails to the lookout for breathtaking views. We crossed bridges and creeks surrounded by the reds, oranges, and yellows of Mother Nature before returning to the ranch.
The view of a lake from the saddle on Anne’s horse, Baloo. Photo by Shawn Hamilton
Horse Camping
Over the years of running South Algonquin Trails, owner Tammy Donaldson noticed that a percentage of the trail riding guests had a horse at home. Realizing the market for horse-friendly accommodations, their first equestrian campsite was completed in 2018.
A high demand prompted the expansion to 13 horse-friendly camp sites, one with an electrical hookup, and three cabins available for rent. Each site is designed for easy maneuvering of large trailers and comes equipped with a fire pit, picnic table, covered stalls, shovel and wheelbarrow, its own outhouse, and a 100-gallon water tank for the horses filled by the staff as needed. Guides and extra trail horses are also available for a fee.
This past September, I was lucky enough to join a group of friends to experience horse camping at South Algonquin Trails firsthand. We booked two camp sites side by side, and with two living quarters trailers and a cabin rental, the six of us and our horses were well accommodated. Over four days of riding, we took to the trails to see rivers, lakes and lookouts followed by delicious, combined-effort meals while stories and songs were shared by the campfire.
A full day in the saddle included a ride to a lake the horses could wade in. Photo by Shawn Hamilton
Day by Day
Even with the pending forecast of rain, we geared up and headed out on day one. A slight drizzle did not deter us as our horses enjoyed the wide trail to Eco Lodge, a remote hidden gem on a small lake where visitors can hike or bike in to stay overnight and enjoy a piece of wilderness.
Eco Lodge is a remote hidden gem on a small lake where visitors can hike or bike in to stay overnight and enjoy a piece of wilderness. Photo by Shawn Hamilton
Patrons of the lodge who would like to experience the park from the saddle get picked up to ride some of South Algonquin Trails’ well-mannered horses, ride through the park, and return to the lodge on their mounts to enjoy a home-cooked meal.
Taking advantage of the nice weather for the next few days, we rode to the lookout for a picnic lunch overlooking the expansive and colorful views and enjoyed long canters on the flat, sandy trails. A full day in the saddle included a ride to a lake the horses could wade in—the perfect spot to swim with the horses on a hot summer’s day.
Anne and Ghost at Lookout Ridge. Photo by Shawn Hamilton
Along with trail riding and horse camping, South Algonquin Trails offers horse camp for all ages; even grandparents are welcome. Rides are flexible, from one hour to full days, and their special overnight package called “Come Stay With Us” features three hours of horseback riding each day, accommodations, and meals, with an available upgrade meal package to enjoy at the nearby Nomi Spa.
Other fun events include liberty and obstacle clinics, poker rides, and a new Ride for the Cure hosted by the ranch this year. If you find yourself at Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, look for their booth, where you can hop on one of their mechanical horse simulators used for training purposes.
South Algonquin Trails is a laid-back facility that caters to all types of horse enthusiasts, from those who have never touched a horse to those who want an adventurous experience from the saddle in one of Canada’s most prestigious provincial parks. It is well worth the trip!
For more information, visit South Algonquin Trails online at southalgonquintrails.com and Algonquin Eco Lodge at algonquinecolodge.com.
This article about horseback riding in Algonquin Provincial Park appeared in the September/October 2025 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!
